Designing and developing a mobile app (BeBo) in a randomized controlled trial study to promote breastfeeding among Vietnamese mothers
Abstract Background Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible after birth and continue exclusively to 6 months of age. In Vietnam, as in many other countries, breastfeeding is decreasing because of modern lifestyles and the promotion of infant formula. It is important to provide mothers, family...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-01-01
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| Series: | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00543-7 |
| _version_ | 1828056632794284032 |
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| author | Thi Thuy Duong Doan Trung Chuyen Tran Ngoc Minh Pham Yun Zhao Thi Phuong Hoa Dinh Nguyen Xuan Hoai Andy Lee Colin Binns Thi Thu Ha Bui |
| author_facet | Thi Thuy Duong Doan Trung Chuyen Tran Ngoc Minh Pham Yun Zhao Thi Phuong Hoa Dinh Nguyen Xuan Hoai Andy Lee Colin Binns Thi Thu Ha Bui |
| author_sort | Thi Thuy Duong Doan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible after birth and continue exclusively to 6 months of age. In Vietnam, as in many other countries, breastfeeding is decreasing because of modern lifestyles and the promotion of infant formula. It is important to provide mothers, family members, and the community with the knowledge and strategies to improve breastfeeding rates. Smartphones are almost ubiquitous in Vietnam and of the potential to provide information about breastfeeding. This study aimed to document the process of designing and developing a mobile app to increase breastfeeding rates in Vietnamese women. Methods We used a four-step mixed methods approach with a literature review, formative research (22 in-depth interviews and 49 self-administered online questionnaires), and testing of prototype apps (3 focus groups discussion and external experts). Formative research and focus group discussion involved 99 participants. Finally, the revisions of the app were tested. All of the formative research was undertaken in Hanoi in 2019–2020. Target behaviors followed by key determinants, to improve breastfeeding self-efficacy were studied and this information was then applied in developing the messages and library content. Barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding were identified from literature reviews and qualitative research. The messages were targeted at not only mothers but also included fathers, mothers-in-law, or families. Results Mothers were mostly concerned about the initiation of breastfeeding, preventing and reducing difficulties encountered during breastfeeding, and nutrition for breastfeeding mothers. Mental health and well-being in the postnatal period are also concerns. Three key features to be included in the app were identified from the formative research: (1) notifications; (2) an information library; and (3) a searching function. The research found that the app should be installed during pregnancy rather than after delivery (81% vs 17%, respectively). Notifications that convey breastfeeding messages should be sent 2–3 times per week. Conclusion The development of the app followed a best practice approach, including the involvement of stakeholders and grounding in behavior change theory. The next step is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BeBo mobile app in a well-conducted randomized controlled trial. Trial registration ACTRN12619000531112. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T20:59:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3f79aab2d53d484fa666f6b6da7d98d9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-4358 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T20:59:43Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-3f79aab2d53d484fa666f6b6da7d98d92023-01-22T12:26:11ZengBMCInternational Breastfeeding Journal1746-43582023-01-0118111510.1186/s13006-023-00543-7Designing and developing a mobile app (BeBo) in a randomized controlled trial study to promote breastfeeding among Vietnamese mothersThi Thuy Duong Doan0Trung Chuyen Tran1Ngoc Minh Pham2Yun Zhao3Thi Phuong Hoa Dinh4Nguyen Xuan Hoai5Andy Lee6Colin Binns7Thi Thu Ha Bui8Faculty of Social Sciences, Behaviour and Health Education, Hanoi University of Public HealthFaculty of Information Technology, Department of Hanoi University of Mining and GeologySchool of Public Health, Curtin UniversitySchool of Public Health, Curtin UniversityFaculty of Social Sciences, Behaviour and Health Education, Hanoi University of Public HealthFaculty of Information Technology, HUTECH UniversitySchool of Public Health, Curtin UniversitySchool of Public Health, Curtin UniversityFaculty of Social Sciences, Behaviour and Health Education, Hanoi University of Public HealthAbstract Background Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible after birth and continue exclusively to 6 months of age. In Vietnam, as in many other countries, breastfeeding is decreasing because of modern lifestyles and the promotion of infant formula. It is important to provide mothers, family members, and the community with the knowledge and strategies to improve breastfeeding rates. Smartphones are almost ubiquitous in Vietnam and of the potential to provide information about breastfeeding. This study aimed to document the process of designing and developing a mobile app to increase breastfeeding rates in Vietnamese women. Methods We used a four-step mixed methods approach with a literature review, formative research (22 in-depth interviews and 49 self-administered online questionnaires), and testing of prototype apps (3 focus groups discussion and external experts). Formative research and focus group discussion involved 99 participants. Finally, the revisions of the app were tested. All of the formative research was undertaken in Hanoi in 2019–2020. Target behaviors followed by key determinants, to improve breastfeeding self-efficacy were studied and this information was then applied in developing the messages and library content. Barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding were identified from literature reviews and qualitative research. The messages were targeted at not only mothers but also included fathers, mothers-in-law, or families. Results Mothers were mostly concerned about the initiation of breastfeeding, preventing and reducing difficulties encountered during breastfeeding, and nutrition for breastfeeding mothers. Mental health and well-being in the postnatal period are also concerns. Three key features to be included in the app were identified from the formative research: (1) notifications; (2) an information library; and (3) a searching function. The research found that the app should be installed during pregnancy rather than after delivery (81% vs 17%, respectively). Notifications that convey breastfeeding messages should be sent 2–3 times per week. Conclusion The development of the app followed a best practice approach, including the involvement of stakeholders and grounding in behavior change theory. The next step is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BeBo mobile app in a well-conducted randomized controlled trial. Trial registration ACTRN12619000531112.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00543-7mHealthSmartphoneAppBreastfeedingVietnam |
| spellingShingle | Thi Thuy Duong Doan Trung Chuyen Tran Ngoc Minh Pham Yun Zhao Thi Phuong Hoa Dinh Nguyen Xuan Hoai Andy Lee Colin Binns Thi Thu Ha Bui Designing and developing a mobile app (BeBo) in a randomized controlled trial study to promote breastfeeding among Vietnamese mothers International Breastfeeding Journal mHealth Smartphone App Breastfeeding Vietnam |
| title | Designing and developing a mobile app (BeBo) in a randomized controlled trial study to promote breastfeeding among Vietnamese mothers |
| title_full | Designing and developing a mobile app (BeBo) in a randomized controlled trial study to promote breastfeeding among Vietnamese mothers |
| title_fullStr | Designing and developing a mobile app (BeBo) in a randomized controlled trial study to promote breastfeeding among Vietnamese mothers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Designing and developing a mobile app (BeBo) in a randomized controlled trial study to promote breastfeeding among Vietnamese mothers |
| title_short | Designing and developing a mobile app (BeBo) in a randomized controlled trial study to promote breastfeeding among Vietnamese mothers |
| title_sort | designing and developing a mobile app bebo in a randomized controlled trial study to promote breastfeeding among vietnamese mothers |
| topic | mHealth Smartphone App Breastfeeding Vietnam |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00543-7 |
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